Sales in the Middle east of automobiles by the BMW Group grew by 8.1 percent to 7,035 units, from 6,509 units in 1999, and its profits in the regional revenue soared by 30 percent, a spokesman for BMW announced in Dubai.

And things just might improve. Quoted by the Khaleej Times, Robert Bailey-McEwan, the managing director of BMW Group Middle East, said if January's highest ever monthly growth record of 870 is any indication, "2001 will be even better."

Bailey-McEwan said that the group’s 2000 results would have been better if there had been enough supplies to meet the demand. In the Middle East alone, BMW could have sold at least another 400 units if it had the cars, he said.

In the GCC countries, the group saw 9.5 percent in growth with sales, with the number of units sold rising from 4,048 in 1999 to 4,837 units in 2000.

The biggest market for BMW in the Middle East was the UAE, with sales of 1,718 units in 2000 compared to 1,351 in 1999. It was followed by Saudi Arabia with 982 units compared to 774 in 1999, and then Kuwait with 955 units compared to 877 units in the previous year. — (Albawaba-MEBG)